The former Mariners custodian was touched when he received well wishes from children at his old stomping ground on the Central Coast.

The 33-year-old said: "I’ve been getting a lot of messages to be honest over the last few weeks but I got a nice message from Budgewoi Primary School. 

"They made a nice poster with lots of messages of support for me personally and I sent a video message back to thank them. The support we’ve all been getting from back home is just unbelievable.

"All the boys have social media, Twitter and Instagram so everyone’s been receiving messages of support over the last few weeks – especially with our performance against France.

"We knew we had it in us and I know the people back home knew that also. We know we’ve got the whole nation behind us going into this next game."

Australia were edged 2-1 by the World's No.7 ranked team and know they need points on the board against Denmark. The team arrived in Samara ahead of Thursday night's (AEST) crunch match.

Coach Bert van Marwijk put his charges through their paces at the Stadium Trudovye Rezervy in Kazan before the team made the short 45-minute flight from Kazan to Samara ahead of the match.

Vukovic said the mood in camp was positive ahead of clash with Age Hareide’s team, who defeated Peru 1-0 in their opening match of the tournament.

“We’re looking forward to the trip and the next game,” he said. “We have already started preparing for the game against Denmark, the boys are looking good in training and we know we need three points in the next game.”

Brighton and Hove Albion keeper, Mat Ryan, is first choice keeper ahead of Vukovic and Feyenoord's Brad Jones but the former A-League Golden Glove winner says those on the bench are ready to step in at a moment's notice.

"We’ve got a good group together, along with the goalkeeper coach Tony Franken," he said. "We work hard and at this point in time Maty’s the number one and me and Jonesy are there supporting him.

"But we’re also there pushing him as well, we’re working hard and making sure if called upon we’re ready to go."